What's good
- Good speakerphone
- Long battery life
What's bad
- Poor call quality
- Questionable durability (unable to survive independent water test)
The Samsung Rugby 111 is a flip phone with an internal and external display, alpha-numeric keypad with large keys, and a battery rated for up to 9 hours of talk time. It features push-to- talk for walkie-talkie-esque capabilities, a speakerphone, microSD and a 3.5mm jack. The external display shows date, day, time, battery remaining indicator, etc., and rests just below a large speakerphone grille.
As the name implies, the Rugby 111 is designed to be durable. Built to military specs, Sony claims it can withstand dust, rain, shock, vibration, humidity and can be submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes.
However, some reviewers found the phone unable to deliver on some of its promised durability. Phonearena subjected the phone to two inches of water for 30 minutes. “After 30 minutes we retrieved it to find the device powered off and unwilling to power back on.”
Most reviewers found the call quality to be subpar. CNET said it was “sadly, one of the worst audio experiences I've had in a long time, and on a simple cell phone like this, that's inexcusable.” Phonescoop said the quality “is abysmal. Every conversation I had sounded like I was talking through a wall.”
There’s a basic WAP browser onboard and a 3 megapixel camera that can shoot 320 x 340 video through a variety of modes. The phone also lets you set up restrictions on calls, messaging and access to the address book. “This is handy for businesses looking to deploy fleet phones, since they can ensure that the phones be used only for business purposes,” Phonearena said.
Most reviewers were underwhelmed by this phone. CNET summed up by saying, “although I like the phone's aesthetics, based on poor call quality in my tests, I can't recommend buying the Rugby 3 for personal or company use.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jessica Dolcourt, CnetThe Samsung Rugby 3 has a terrifically responsive dial pad and enhanced push-to-talk support.
- Eric M. Zeman, Phone ScoopThe Rugby III is a jack of all trades, but master of none. If you're looking for a basic handset that can withstand some abuse, it manages to accomplish that with ease. Nearly every other feature, however, earns a "B" at best.The biggest detractor is call quality. It's simply not good enough, not fo...
- Brian K., PhoneArenaThe Samsung Rugby III isn’t a sleek phone, nor is it a smart phone. It is intended to be a big, rugged device that can withstand rough environments. While it performed as expected as a phone, it unfortunately was not able to meet the advertised certifications. The only reason you buy a phone l...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Rugby III user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Rugby III with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Rugby III has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Samsung Rugby III Manual (PDF)
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